The primary purpose of this the Production Manager role is to manage 7 (seven) Production Artists (including workload distribution) and properly allocate work. This role is responsible for training related to the production process, ensuring that designer files are corrected to comply with production standards and to communicate with Product Development on maker process and production compliance. Leading the project and production management through the complete understanding of graphic production processes, including the development of electronic artwork, pre-press services, and printing is paramount to the role. 

• Responsible for the production management of the artwork process as captured in the product design workflow. Assign work to Production Artists, as driven by business volume and capabilities
• Manage artwork production turnover to both domestic and overseas factories
• Work with Creative Manager - Product Design and Creative Coordinator to stay abreast of all process changes and modifications that need to be addressed by the production team
• Possess the technical artwork process knowledge to filter the business needs according to their impact and/or importance
• Hold external vendors (eg. UFE) accountable for working within company guidelines and standards regarding the process, protocol, file creation, and accuracy; provide documentation and training to external vendors for same as needed
• Provide technical direction to internal Production Artists for consistency in artwork preparation to avoid pre-production and reproduction issues
• Interface with both creative and non-creative personnel.  Communicate complex technical information in lay terms for presentation and training of non-technical users.
• Keep current with state-of-the-art technology and processes available in the marketplace/industry
• Prepare Customer Tracking logs and Sample Tags for major retailers
• Provide proofing to the highest quality standard
• Share in approving of all printed product proofs. Sign-off on all color separations for products and work with the Product Development team to communicate necessary product art changes through to separators & printers
• On occasion, travel to press runs and/or meet with the **** team to review common challenges, new innovations, etc.
• Communicate with Creative Manager – Product on a napkin back needs at the start of the production process
• Continue to update computer skills and experiment with new software updates and programs
• Review server storage capacity on a regular basis; move files to archive in conjunction with IT standards and search for archived files as needed

• 5 years of related experience and/or training required; 6 or more years preferred
• 3 years of direct supervisory experience preferred
• 5-10 years of experience in the area of product artwork, graphic design, and print production preferred
• Solid understanding of offset, flexographic, rotogravure, and screen printing processes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time
• Strong time management/prioritization skills
• Excellent skills in Adobe Creative Suite
• Ability to use licensed/non-licensed style guides
• Solid understanding of offset, flexographic, rotogravure and screen-printing processes
• Troubleshoot computer & printer challenges in conjunction with Production Artists and Mockup team members